Force Pike Question

[Buddy Love]

I purchased an Aluminium Force Pike from Muppet a couple of months ago. It was from the run that I believe Oevil (please correct me if Im wrong) did a few years back.
I was going to use fishing rod grips for the hand grips, and even took it to a specialist rod maker. However the handle area is too thick. 
How have other people who have a Forcepike of this run done the handle parts? Or anyone else got ideas (aside from shrink wrap)

Thanks, mtfbwy